Kuia II

Kuia came from the Isles of Wyvern, islands that lay far to the south, across a vast ocean of mist in a land that had become ravaged by war. The Phaellyon Empire, a great nation had come from the south, claimed the land set out to conquer her people. The small cities of the island were ruled by hereditary lords who had strong warriors and fearless armies; however, there was no unification as strong rivalries existed between these cities. When the empire came, the cities of the Isles of Wyvern began to fall one by one. Yet Kuia’s parents made the task for the conquerors that much more difficult.

Kuia’s father and mother were of some importance to their city and the ones that surrounded it. Kuia’s father brought dread and fear, although it was not his intentions to do so, it reflected the nature of his destiny. Topaeto was a strict disciplinarian and judge and if that wasn’t enough to make him imposing, he also wore the mantle of the owl. He could foresee the coming of death, illness and disaster.

Like all people the Wyvern people had their superstitions and the owl was a feared creature, mystical and unknown, a teacher of shadow and guardian of death. To be blessed with his gift was looked upon as a bane as well as blessing. Topaeto was taken in his youth to the brotherhood of Mataku to improve in his arts. Isolated from the all the others he studied and grew strong with a handful of disciples on the dark mountain known as Tue Paupaque often called the corpse.

Kuia’s mother seemed to be an unlikely mate for the man. Mohewa was brilliant and vibrant and seen as an ambassador of good will. She was one of the few that wore bracelets of white jade. This represented her gifts as a healer and midwife. It was also said that she had the power to walk in dreams and alleviate fears. She was often recruited by the rulers of cities to solve problems with peoples in the land. She had unusual power and respect for a woman: a bringer of peace that spoke with the soft voice of comfort.

A season before the invasion of Phaellyon, Topaeto was taken to the land of shadow on the great night wing. He was hovered above a field littered with bodies and saw a great white cat devouring the bones. He knew what it meant and cried out for the cities to be warned of what was coming, to prepare and not take his words for naught. Mohewa was at his side pleading for setting aside of differences and to unite as one. But it could not be done until too late, for each lord thought that he was the one that should rule them all and only after much loss and bloodshed did the strongest lords concur to form council, by then it was too late. The invaders inhabited the fallen places, changing the names and enslaving the captured. Swiftly the people of the Wyvern were being pressed into the sea. Kuia was but a toddler and dwelling with her grandmother and her clan.

Those too old, young or weak sailed west with meager belongings and settled in the great western lands of Atheraes, changing their names and identities like so many other refugees from the islands. Clumps of destitute immigrants landed in various places on the western shore: Some where met with hostility, some with kindness, more with indifference. Grandmother’s was misfortune; they landed in the badlands known as Racca.

Kuia and her grand mother along with the rest of the band traveled the coastal badlands by foot for months, enduring sickness, assault and near starvation. A good turn smiled upon grandmother one day. When all hope was lost a gray cat called out from a deep crack in the ground. Grandmother being kindly went to retrieve the cat only to find foot prints that would have otherwise been missed. Some of the old hunters were able to follow them and it led them to the forgotten roads of Hearth.

The Atheraens of Hearth were led by a kindly old man and his council. After a long negotiation, bartering and more negotiation, the refugees that numbered thirty were allowed to dwell in Hearth. It was rumored that the old man was smitten with grandmother but others dismissed it as grandmother’s natural abilities to lead.

Hearth was a small fishing harbor on the great ocean, called by many of the refugees the Sea of Exodus. It was hard for Kuia as a child, living among the mixture of refugees and Imperials. Atheraes had long been established and at peace with Phaellyon, and although Phaellyon was at war with the Wyverns, Atheraes extended amnesty and considered the refugees as citizens.

Kuia was but a child, and as she aged the visions of her parents faded. When her grandmother thought that Kuia was mature enough, she explained that her parents were taken away and not put to death. One was taken to the heart of the Empire and the other far north to the land that is made of ice, also called hell and isolation.

The youthful Wyvern refugees were educated and cultured by those who were natural to Atheraes. The young Wyverns often put aside the old ways and began to call themselves Atheraenians. They began to mingle with the society and took on many of their ways. Kuia was no exception; she began to learn language and literature and was profoundly gifted. Grandmother however did not turn her back on the old ways and stressed it among the remnant clan the importance of retaining their identity. So in secret many of the children were instructed in the beliefs and traditions of the Isles: always behind closed door and away from the Atheraenians, to prevent fear and misunderstanding.

Kuia kept these thing taught to her in mind and respected them, but she like so many others could remember nothing of the Isles or the way it once was. She spoke and dressed as an Atheraenian, sung their songs, played their games and called their king her own. She smiled at grandmother’s old fashioned ways and found it a constant joy to use them to pick on her grandmother.

As a small girl Kuia had developed a reputation for being notoriously sly and making people eat their own words. People would say hello to Kuia but knew not to discuss many things with her, for if they lost one thread of their conversation to her, she would sew it into a blanket and cover them with their own embarrassment.

If a woman said a new born was “beautiful”, Kuia would dispute it, “No the thing is all wrinkled and ugly.” “It looks just like its father,” Another would chime but Kuia would add, “Well I see where it got its homely resemblance.” Needless to say Kuia’s best friend was the guiding cat who followed her constantly.

Kuia matured and began to become slightly more diplomatic, but a lot of times her mouth opened before her mind pulled on the reigns. Kuia was taken to wonder lust and spent days exploring the badlands that surrounded the village. She met her mate exploring the lands, a rouge from another town, a handsome devil that was also clever.

They had courtship and for a couple of years all seemed right to her, they had children and built a dwelling in Haven until his nature could no longer be suppressed. One day after discovering that he had affections for another it all ended horribly and he left her alone and returned to his own town. Kuia was devastated and began down a path that she had never traveled.